Prime Minister Gaston Browne has sharply criticised a proposal by the opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) to reduce household electricity bills, warning the plan would place serious financial strain on the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA). According to Antigua News Room, Browne made the remarks on Pointe FM's Browne and Browne Show.

The UPP has proposed cutting $3,600 from each household's electricity bill. Browne argued the measure would cost tens of millions of dollars and lacks any clear funding mechanism.

"Well, they say they're going to take off $3,600 off of each consumer's electricity bill… you can do the math… you're talking about millions of dollars," Browne said.

The prime minister stressed that APUA is already operating under significant financial pressure and depends heavily on government support to sustain its operations. "APUA currently can't meet its obligations… APUA is currently subsidized by the central government," he said.

Browne outlined several existing government subsidies, including payments for infrastructure upgrades and support to offset rising fuel costs. He noted the government is currently subsidizing diesel at approximately $3 per gallon in order to keep electricity prices stable for consumers.

He also pointed to delays in the transition to a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant, which has forced APUA to continue relying on more expensive diesel fuel, compounding its financial difficulties. "So they're making losses," Browne said, adding that the utility is simultaneously investing heavily in water production and infrastructure development.

Browne warned that stripping a major portion of APUA's revenue without identifying a replacement funding source could trigger serious consequences, including potential job losses at the authority.

"Are they then going to retrench APUA workers? APUA provides employment for over 800 persons," he said.

The prime minister pressed the opposition to explain how the proposal would be financed. "Where is the compensatory income going to come from?" he asked.

Browne also defended his administration's stewardship of the utility, claiming APUA was on the verge of bankruptcy when his government came to power in 2014 and has since been turned around. "It is my administration that actually returned APUA to profitability… they're making $20, $30, $40 million a year," he said.

He described the opposition's proposal as politically appealing but financially unsustainable. "It just sounds good… but how do you sustain it?" Browne said.

As reported by Antigua News Room, the UPP had not publicly responded to the prime minister's comments at the time of publication.